The family of Julie Wangui, a woman who died in remand under unclear circumstances, has rejected government autopsy findings that suggested she died of natural causes.
Speaking to the press after receiving the results on Tuesday, July 29, the family challenged the results, stating that they were not privy to Wangui’s medical records before the postmortem.
This, according to the family, resulted in a disconnect as pathologists based their autopsy on medical records that Wangui’s family had not accessed.
The latest autopsy report comes two weeks after Government Pathologist Peter Ndegwa said that Wangui’s previous postmortem results were inconclusive.
While releasing the initial findings, the pathologist had requested two weeks to conduct further tests on additional samples from the deceased for more investigation to determine the cause of death.
Notably, the pathologist also observed during the first autopsy that Njoki had considerable bleeding in her brain, but stated that it may not have been enough to lead to her death.
“As the family, we do not have Julie’s medical records before the postmortem. She was operated on, and the hospital owes her a duty of care. We do not have any hospital records to say that this is what happened to her brain, she was bleeding, etc.,” a representative of the family stated.
“What we have is a postmortem report based on what they say are medical records that have not been made available to the family. So how does the family confirm that this is what happened?” she added.
To that effect, Wangui’s family asserted they would not accept the findings until the medical records in question were made available to them.
Wangui passed away on July 10 while in remand at Nanyuki Women's Prison. Reports indicate the 24-year-old collapsed while in prison and passed away amid unsuccessful attempts to get her medical attention.
This came after Wangui had been arrested by police officers during the Saba Saba protests in Nanyuki. According to the family, Wangui was walking home when she was caught among protesters and apprehended by authorities.
After being arraigned at the Nanyuki Law Courts, Njoki was granted bail of Ksh50,000, but her family was unable to raise the funds, resulting in her being remanded at Nanyuki GK Prison.
It is during her time in remand that the family claims their loved one was assaulted, maintaining that Wangui was in good health when she was booked at the police station.
Wangui’s death sparked a wave of protests in her native Nanyuki, as residents blocked major roads on Monday, July 14, demanding answers about what exactly happened to Njoki.
The National Police Service distanced itself from any involvement in Wangui's passing, insisting the service was under no investigations, effectively refuting allegations of misconduct.
